How to Prepare Ahead of Wildfire Season

After more than three decades working catastrophe events, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, I can tell you one thing with certainty: you never get used to walking into a disaster scene.

Every event is different, but the impact on people is always the same. A home gone in minutes. A business shut down indefinitely. Families standing on what used to be their property, trying to understand what comes next. Wildfires, in particular, are uniquely devastating because they do not just damage structures. They erase lives as people knew them.

That is why preparation matters so much, especially now.

What the Recent California Wildfires Reinforced

The wildfires we have seen in California, including the Los Angeles and Palisades areas, reinforced hard truths the industry cannot afford to ignore. These were not small events, but even when claim counts appear manageable on paper, wildfire losses require highly specialized expertise to handle properly.

Wildfire claims are not wind or hail claims. They involve total losses, complex rebuilds, strict building codes, environmental considerations, debris removal, smoke and soot remediation, and most importantly, deep empathy for people who have lost everything.

What concerned me most was not just the scale of destruction. It was how exposed many homeowners, businesses, and even insurers were due to lack of preparation and lack of experienced resources.

A Shrinking Pool of Specialized Adjusters

Over the past two years, the industry has seen fewer large catastrophe events overall. That may sound like good news, but it has created a serious downstream problem.

Many experienced catastrophe adjusters, particularly those with wildfire expertise, have left the industry altogether. When work slowed, people could not afford to wait around. They changed careers. They moved into other roles. And now, as wildfire activity ramps back up, those skill sets are no longer readily available.

Wildfire adjusters are a different breed. They understand how to rebuild a home from the ground up. They know how local and state codes apply. They can assess whether a structure can be saved or must be demolished. They can walk a homeowner through debris removal, environmental testing, and reconstruction without making promises that will not hold up later.

That experience is becoming rare. When events happen, supply and demand takes over quickly. If you are not prepared, you are likely to be at the back of the line, paying more and waiting longer for the right help.

Why Preparation Before Fire Season Is Critical

Preparation is not about predicting the next wildfire. It is about having a plan you can activate immediately.

In the first seven days after a catastrophe, the difference between prepared and unprepared organizations becomes painfully clear. Those with plans in place already have people positioned, housing options identified, and response strategies underway. Those without plans are scrambling, often with fewer choices and higher costs.

There is no downside to being prepared. As insurance and risk professionals, that is what we are supposed to do. We anticipate worst case scenarios and reduce their impact.

What Homeowners and Business Owners Should Do Now

If you live or operate in a wildfire prone area, preparation starts well before smoke is in the air.

Understand your insurance policy.

Many people do not fully understand their coverage until it is too late. Law and ordinance coverage is a common gap. Rebuilding to current code can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a loss. If your policy limits do not account for that, you may be left with painful decisions after a fire.

Know what you are exposed to.

Think about your property, your surroundings, and your vulnerabilities. Vegetation management, defensible space, and construction materials all matter. These are conversations worth having before fire season, not during it.

Plan for displacement.

Wildfires do not just damage buildings; they displace people. Temporary housing is one of the biggest challenges after a major event. Having access to a coordinated housing solution can make an enormous difference in how quickly families and employees regain stability.

Expect the process to take time.

Rebuilding after a wildfire is rarely quick. Permitting, inspections, environmental reviews, and contractor availability all factor in. Knowing that upfront helps set realistic expectations and reduces frustration.

The Role of a Trusted Partner

One of the biggest lessons I have learned over the years is that catastrophe response is not something you can figure out as you go. Every event is dynamic. Conditions change daily. Access issues, secondary hazards, and infrastructure damage can all complicate recovery.

Working with a partner like Sedgwick allows insurers, businesses, and policyholders to bring everything together. Claims management, temporary housing, emergency repairs, environmental expertise, engineering support, and content solutions can all be coordinated through a single, integrated approach.

That coordination matters. When the right experts are involved early, we can often save structures that might otherwise be written off, control costs responsibly, and most importantly, treat people with the care and respect they deserve during one of the worst moments of their lives.

A Final Thought

Catastrophes are called catastrophes for a reason. No one expects them. But the consequences of not preparing are entirely predictable.

I have walked into wildfire zones, hurricane paths, floodplains, and tornado scars across this country. I have never seen a situation where preparation made things worse. I have seen countless situations where the lack of it made everything harder.

Wildfire season is coming. The time to plan, while experienced resources are still available, is now.

Take the Next Step in Your Wildfire Preparation

Preparation does not have to be overwhelming. Having a clear, practical checklist can help you take the right steps before wildfire season begins, whether you are protecting a home, a business, or both.

To help you get started, we have created a Wildfire Preparation Checklist for homeowners and business owners. It outlines key actions to take before, during, and after a wildfire, including preparation planning, insurance considerations, and recovery readiness.

Download the Wildfire Preparation Checklist to better understand your risks, strengthen your preparedness, and be ready to act when it matters most.